Category: Research Methods

Using e-portfolios and rubrics to assess speaking competence in a Telecollaborative exchange between Chinese and English language learners Introduction In our increasingly globalised world, English language proficiency is regarded as crucial for future social and economic success. No more so is that evident than in China, a rapidly developing economy with bold ambitions to become Read More …

Background Reflecting on my experience this academic year, what really stands out is how reticent my students were, in my Spoken English class, at speaking English. I had four classes with approximately 20-24 students, aged 18-19 years old in each class. Two classes were “Freshmen”, the equivalent of first year university students. Two classes were “Sophomores”, the Read More …

My Masters assignments are all done, and my dissertation proposal on Telecollaboration has been submitted. Now is the time to think about how to turn my proposal into a reality. But where begin? The literature review? The learning activities? I read an excellent article by Alison Wylie (2003) recently called Why Standpoint Matters, a recommended reading by new Read More …

The culmination of a Master’s degree is the final project. Also known as a dissertation, or thesis, it may be entirely theoretical in nature, being based on secondary readings, or it may be a mix of theory and practice, whereby some aspect of theory is tested in a real-life situation. The project itself seeks to Read More …

Using FlipSnack as a Research Scrapbook I am collecting ideas for my big research project next semester – images, articles, journal articles, book recommendations, etc. and I wanted to find a good place to store all this information. So here I am trying FlipSnack, a free page flip software that enables you to create stylish Read More …

What is Research? For me, general research is wanting to know more. It’s satisfying a curiosity. Delving deeper into a topic. Academic research, for me, relates more specifically to solving a problem or testing the validity of a theory. My First Stab at Research A couple of years ago I carried out some ‘general research’ Read More …